http://gloriahawa.com/

2011...you'll be missed.

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:18:00 -0800

this year:

quit a job i despised
started green smoothies up
lost 70 lbs
visited all my friends in nyc and had the best time
held a real oscar
found a job i love
went to the aquarium
fell in love with runyon
fell in utter love with yoga
bought a beach cruiser
spent a healthy time in venice riding it
volunteered at a woman shelter
talked to poe on the phone
saw richard marx live
pet a goat
bought a dyson
finally ate the best pizza of my life (difara’s, nyc)
saw many great shows, flaming lips being #1
had the best coachella despite being really sick
reorganized my place
best halloween to date
started writing more
created art
laughed a lot
reconnected with people who are dear to me
met some amazing new people
learned how to let go

let’s continue this. bring on 2012.

"And they say there is no fate, but there is: it’s what you create. And even though the world..."

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 02:25:12 -0700

“And they say there is no fate, but there is: it’s what you create. And even though the world goes on for eons and eons, you are only here for a fraction of a fraction of a second. Most of your time is spent being dead or not yet born. But while alive, you wait in vain, wasting years, for a phone call or a letter or a look from someone or something to make it all right. And it never comes or it seems to but it doesn’t really. And so you spend your time in vague regret or vaguer hope that something good will come along. Something to make you feel connected, something to make you feel whole, something to make you feel loved. And the truth is I feel so angry, and the truth is I feel so fucking sad, and the truth is I’ve felt so fucking hurt for so fucking long and for just as long I’ve been pretending I’m OK, just to get along, just for, I don’t know why, maybe because no one wants to hear about my misery, because they have their own. Well, fuck everybody. Amen.”

- synecdoche, ny. (the greatest movie i have ever seen)

my mom just made me my favorite arabic dessert- thin arab...

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:01:00 -0700

my mom just made me my favorite arabic dessert- thin arab noodle-like things with cinnamon & sugar. so simple, yet so divine.

midnight snack

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:06:17 -0700

midnight snack

apples dipped in a concoction of peanut butter & mango....

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:52:32 -0700

apples dipped in a concoction of peanut butter & mango. perfect midnight snack!

GUEST BLOGGER: How to Make Raw Date And Nut Squares by Raw Michelle

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:39:10 -0700

Raw Michelle is founder of RawFoodHealthWatch.com, bringing raw news, information and recipes for beginners and veterans of the world of raw food.

If you are fond of sweets, much like the majority of individuals on Earth, but you are also trying to somehow integrate them into a healthy, organic diet - then the raw date and nut squares recipe is the perfect thing for you!

Raw date and nut squares are sweet, crunchy, healthy and delicious, and can easily be prepared with a food processor. Unlike any other commercially available processed sweets, this desert can actually benefit your health and provide you with valuable complex sugars that have a low GI and are slowly released into the bloodstream, for a steady influx of energy throughout the day. To make this wonderful dessert, your primary ingredients will be a selection of nuts, oats and dry dates - all of them excellent sources of essential fatty acids, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.

The squares consist of a crispy crust and a subtle date filling. To prepare the crust, you will be needing one cup of raw almonds, half a cup of raw cashews, half a cup of raw pistachios, one and a half cup of raw oats, 10 dry dates, pitted and chopped, as well as half a cup of coconut oil. The type of oil used is important in the preparation process, as it can alter both the flavor and texture of the squares. However, any type of oil can be used to turn the nuts into a soft paste that sticks. The almonds, cashews and pistachios should be blended together in the food processor for a few minutes, then the oats and oil can be added to begin forming the dessert base. To test how well the mixture sticks together, you can squeeze some of it gently between your fingers. If it crumbles easily, then you should add a bit more oil and process the nuts and oats a little longer. Next, set two thirds of this “dough” into a tray coated with tinfoil, and put one third aside. To evenly distribute the dough, press hard on it with either your hand or the back of a spoon, until a wide and thick crust is formed on the bottom of the tray.

For the filling, you should process around 40 dates with half a cup of water, until you obtain a soft and smooth paste. Make sure, however, that the paste has a low enough viscosity to easily be spread with a spoon over the crust, but that it also isn’t too runny as to drip off the crust. Finding just the right texture for the filling may require a few shots at this recipe, nevertheless, you can easily control the process by gradually adding in water as you blend the dates. After the filling is whipped up, evenly spread it over the crust and seal everything off with the remaining crust mixture you had set aside earlier. The dessert should now look like a large date and nut sandwich! Using a sharp knife, carefully divide it into bite-size squares, then store it in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours. As it cools, the mixtures harden and the squares can be easily separated and served. If you don’t end up eating them all on the spot, note that you can keep them in the fridge, in an air-tight container, for a good few days. Enjoy!

Taken with instagram

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:58:51 -0700

Taken with instagram

Euphoria Loves Rawvolution

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:18:06 -0700

Today, my raw food enthusiastic friend and I visited Euphoria Loves Rawvolution, a vivacious raw organic vegan restaurant located a couple blocks away from the beach in beautiful Santa Monica. I feel like raw vegan cuisine is the truest and closest thing to eating “art.” The way it’s crafted, the way it takes days sometimes to prepare a dish & all the love that goes into it. This place definitely had all those elements.

We started off with this dehydrated cashew cheese stuffed jalapeno with a mayo sauce. Big taste, big winner:

We ordered two entrees and shared. Here is the red enchilada. They were out of what they usually wrap it with, so they used collard greens instead. It was fresh salsa, guacamole and mango salsa. Neither of us were impressed by this, but it was ok:

The other entree was a fantastic, flavorful mediterranean nut burger. Consisted of a flaxseed “bun,” cashew feta cheese, greek olives (which i’m a huge fan of!) hummus, this amazing sauce. The nut burger part was a bit too flavorful and rich. Other than that, it was great:

What sold me on this place was the dessert. It blows my mind that these little truffle balls, which were amazingly rich and totally delectable. Looks like i’m going to have to experiment with how to make these so there will be new globallz in town!

From left to right: espresso bon bon, peanut snickers like ball, then this “medicine” ball. don’t know what’s in these, but they were divine!

EFR is a good, decent raw restaurant, but not the best i’ve had. I’m going to definitely come back for those desserts though. They were definitely inspiring to say the least. Once I learn how to make these, i’ll share the recipe.

They also carry a lot of health food items, supplements & vitamins. Check it out if you’re in the area.

Euphoria Loves Rawvolution

2301 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90495
(310) 392-9501

"a person starts to live when he can live outside himself."

Sun, 29 May 2011 00:03:15 -0700

“a person starts to live when he can live outside himself.”

- albert einstein

this woman grows her own clothes. yes, grows. fascinating.

Tue, 24 May 2011 13:25:00 -0700

this woman grows her own clothes. yes, grows. fascinating.

"To those who object that one can run the risk of seeming elitist or pretentious by spending time..."

Fri, 13 May 2011 10:13:40 -0700

“To those who object that one can run the risk of seeming elitist or pretentious by spending time with more rarefied sounds, I counter that life is too short to go through it in such an incurious and pedestrian manner. If you don’t like what you hear, go into the warm and well-lit house and hang out with all the other normals — there are so many of them. Bring your own box of wine and leave your imagination at the door.”

- Henry Rollins (great read in LA Weekly)

A few years ago, I had this wild idea about decorating my walls...

Thu, 12 May 2011 23:06:21 -0700

A few years ago, I had this wild idea about decorating my walls with my scarves. The thought came due to the fact that I really had no place to put all my scarves. They would either weigh down my mic stand or get in the way in my closet space.

So I decided today to put my thoughts in motion. I rolled up every scarf and pinned it ot the wall. It’s definitely weird and i sort of like it. Not completely sold on it, but I do like the lights and the small drape on the top.

I’ll probably change it in a couple months when I get bored with it!

A couple friends recently told me about this raw vegan ice cream...

Thu, 12 May 2011 13:25:00 -0700

A couple friends recently told me about this raw vegan ice cream recipe that’s really simple to make. So I tried it (picture above), but added frozen strawberries as well as crushed raw almonds.

I used a blender and it worked, but it took a while. Use a food processor if you have one.

Verdict? It’s utterly delectable and really tasty. It tastes like a real banana split sundae. If you love bananas and ice cream, you’re in for a real treat. It’s hard to believe something this delicious is actually good for you!

How to make the perfect green smoothie

Mon, 02 May 2011 16:41:00 -0700

It’s not as gross as you think. It’s actually quite delicious. I’ve been drinking “green juice” for over five years now and this year I finally started making my own. The benefits of making your own green smoothie are you save a ton of money and the ingredients are fresh. Oh, and it’s a definite game changer if you’re trying to watch your weight and improve your intestines and energy levels.

I have been drinking these fresh green smoothies for breakfast, every morning now for a few months and i’ve not only seen a difference in weight loss, but a rocketing difference in my energy level. It also sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you wake up eating pizza, you’re more than likely going to be ok with eating more junk food for lunch and then dinner. But if you start your day off right with a delicious cup of fresh vegetables and fruit, you are likely to eat healthier throughout the entire day. And it’s delicious and easy to make, so it’s a complete win either way!

Let me set the record straight on what constitutes a “juice” vs. “smoothie.” A green juice is when you use a juicer and only take the juice away from the veggie or fruit. A green smoothie is when you put everything into a blender and drink it all. They’re both intensely good for you, but I like the idea of drinking it all so I put it all in a blender as not to lose any nutrients. Plus, the fibers in the greens act as an abrasive for your intestines.

Many people ask me what the recipe is. There really is no set recipe…it’s really any green leafy vegetables and fruits you want. And you want the fruits in there for the sweetness (and the goodness!)

Here is the recipe I use (I don’t measure anything, just eye it and put as much as you want):

spinach
kale
celery
parsley
carrots
bananas (freeze them overnight so they can act as ice cubes)
apple
blueberries
raspberries
strawberries
flaxseed
coconut oil
spirulina
filtered water

First, I add the spinach & parsley (stems and all) with about a cup of water, depending on how thin you want your smoothie, and blend that.

Then I add the kale and blend again. (I just use the kale leaves because the stems are too hard, but if you own a Vitamix, by all means, put them in!)

Then I add the carrots, celery (celery not pictured- i was out!) and couple spoonfuls of flaxseed and blend.

Lastly, I add the fruit (including the frozen bananas) and blend until it’s right. Add water for preferred level of thickness. Also, you want to cut up the fruit, carrots and celery so it’s easier for the blender to work with.

This is how my smoothie looks like when i’m done

Serve in a glass and enjoy! I like drinking mine with a straw.

I make this smoothie every two days. You should only make enough for two days total and store them in mason jars for extra freshness.

Give this a try for at least a couple of weeks. This is a chance to show your body just how much you love and appreciate it by feeding it well and giving it the right nutrients that we all need. Enjoy!

The 8 best things about Coachella. This past weekend, I...

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:35:00 -0700

The 8 best things about Coachella.

This past weekend, I celebrated my 35th birthday (yikes, that hurt to type) at Coachella. This was my fourth Coachella and hands down, my favorite. Even as I was fighting a bad cold, I didn’t let that get me down. It was really mind over matter, and what really mattered was that the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is my happiest place on earth and I wasn’t about to let sickness get the best of me. What do I love more than music, individuality, love & hippies? Here are the 8 best things about Coachella:

Music. Coachella is about the music, first and foremost. There is really no other backdrop more fitting for a music festival in California than the gorgeous polo field in Indio at sunset, when the pinkish blue sky lightly kisses the millions of non-swaying palm trees which are overlooking gorgeous landscapes and surround five glorious stages. During the end of the last National song in the outdoor theater, I walked on down to the main stage to catch the end of Duran Duran’s set. There was something magical at how I was walking from stage to stage and The National’s “Terrible Love” faded out softly as Duran Duran’s “Rio” faded in loudly. You’re instantly at another show within steps. I’ve seen some memorable performances there ranging from Radiohead to Bright Eyes to Bjork, to The Cure to Rage Against The Machine to Willie Nelson and many more. Artists are happy to be there and we’re happy to have them. Coachella has also turned me onto bands i’ve never heard of before. It’s always a nice surprise to listen to a new band with fresh ears. This weekend has made me a fan of Empire of the Sun and even a bigger fan of Chromeo. (As a sidenote, I will go as far to say that the Coachella music line up doesn’t mean a damn thing to me. It never influences my decision to go or not…I will always want to go regardless of the line up because I view Coachella as a whole experience).
Happy people. The walk from our car to the main entrance was over two miles, in the sweltering triple digit heat…but what I noticed this weekend was that the walk goes by so fast because you’re having a blast with with people and crowds (and confetti!) and walking in 100 degree weather takes a backseat. That being said: there is no crowd on earth I love more than the Coachella crowd. I usually go to the festival with a group of 10+ people, but as soon as i’m in the gates, I love going off on my own, meeting new people, and just having random solo adventures. I view everyone there as friends I have yet to meet. Almost everyone I have encountered at Coachella is friendly and awesome. We are all there for the music and to have a good time- that’s what it’s all about. There is an elusive, free and liberating vibe flowing over everyone and it’s beautiful to watch strangers bonding together over what they love.
Filter Party. There are numerous parties going on in the desert on the Thursday before the festival. We usually stick to the Filter Party. It’s on a beautiful Yacht Club which is surrounded by a body of water. Open bar, free goodies, & dance club all included. Always a good time.
Art. Many festival goers are usually too immersed in the music and usually forget about the beautiful art scattered across the polo field. There are some breathtaking sculptures (some of them move!) all around. In addition to the sculptures, i’ve seen beautiful paintings, customized cars and that tesla coil man-made lightning. Some of the greatest things come out at night when the sun goes down and the colorful lights come out.
Recycling: 10 empty water bottles for 1 new bottle. This is one of the greatest things to be implemented at Coachella. It promotes recycling and a cleaner polo field at the end of the day. Oh, and you can get a free water.
Red tent. I spent a copious amount of time in the red tent this year. I watched a Cirque Berzerk-like show at night and watched people get sprayed down with water in the day. That red tent is a mecca for the craziest hippies of the entire festival. It’s a great way to kick back and take in a show or get hosed down on the sweatiest of days.
Eat what you want and walk/dance it off. There are decent food courts at the festival- ranging from pizza to thai to good ol’ fashion BBQ. I ate pizza, pad thai, fries and churros for three days and ended up losing a couple pounds due to the miles and miles you walk and not to mention the dancing you do during the music!
Crazy outfits. Coachella is great for people watching due to the over the top outfits and sometimes barely any outfit at all. I saw girls there with nothing but a bikini bottom and painted breasts. Also witnessed people who were made over from head to toe with face paint, henna, faux hawks, etc. Then there are the costume/furry people who get my utmost respect for wearing such costumes in such heat. People aren’t afraid to be themselves and Coachella is the perfect place to let it all hang out.

6 things I learned about New York City. With no job and nothing...

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:51:00 -0700

6 things I learned about New York City.

With no job and nothing holding me back here in LA, I decided to take a ten day trip to the big apple. This trip was long overdue seeing I probably have more friends in NYC than I do here in Los Angeles. It was an interesting trip. I learned a lot, had a blast, ate some of the most delicious food ever, saw live music, went to many bars, drank a lot and adored the beautiful park in the middle of all this chaos.

I wanted to keep mental notes during the duration of the trip for the sole purpose of exploring the city from new eyes and my perspective, of course. Here’s what I learned:

NYC has great tap water. Everytime I washed my hair, I noticed it considerably softer. The tap water also tastes a lot better, colder & fresher in NYC. It’s also said that the tap water is responsible for the amazing bagel & pizza crusts.
Convenience. Everything you want is right outside your door. You need a new pair of shoes? Dry Cleaning? A falafel sandwich? The city is so compacted and grid-like that everything you want (i.e.restaurants, museums, etc.) could be next door to you or a block or two away.
No one really cooks in NYC. I saw some tiny kitchens in some really nice apartments. Sometimes, the only counter space are those square edges outlining the corners of the sink. The little-to-no-space is discouraging for most so a lot don’t even bother. And why should you even bother…
NYC has some of the best food i’ve ever eaten in my life. Don’t get me wrong, Los Angeles has some pretty tasty numbers here, but nothing can compare to some things I devoured in the big apple. Here’s the thing with L.A. food: It’s big on vegans, vegetarians, raw food and the huge health craze that comes along with the fact that everyone in Los Angeles is obsessed with the way they look. My friend had an interesting theory that the reason NYC can get away with fatty, great foods is due to all the walking that goes along after/before a meal (see #5.). That totally makes sense. I’m so thankful to know so many locals and foodies in the city that know what’s up when it comes to food. See the list at the end for my best eats!
Nobody walks in LA. Just like that catchy, 80s song goes. But walking in the city is a vital part of the big life there. I believe I walked an average of 3-5 miles a day. Some days more, some days less. You don’t only notice the walking, but you can feel the urgency that goes along with most people who are on the go. They can rush past you, leaving you in a tizzy. But it is to be noted that I only gained one pound after all that good food I ate, thanks to all the walking.
It’s fucking cold. 55 degrees means two separate things for two separate coasts. NYC’s 55 feels like you’re in the middle of a winter storm (just add wind!) while L.A.’s feel’s much more manageable. You wear layers upon layers only to go out in the rainy cold and you get wet and sweaty from all the walking and the stuffiness of the subway. Being born and raised in California, the cold is something I just don’t know how to handle well and i’m just not used to it.

List of my favorite eats in the city:

Shake Shack -mouth watering cheese-stuffed shroom burger w/cheese fries

DiFara Pizza -Probably the best pizza i’ve ever had in my life. Dom has been working there for an eternity and he is the only one who makes these tasty pies- he doesn’t trust anyone else. I don’t blame him. The burned, thirsty crust gets quenched with authentic italian olive oil and the cheese and fresh ingredients are undeniably delicious.

Taim Falafel -Taim means “taste” in arabic and this is exactly what it was. This is what a perfect falafel sandwich should taste like.

Taco Morelos- Yes, this is a taco truck. Yes, I ate there on three separate occassions. Yes, my friend Nicole is very lucky to live only two blocks away from it. These tostadas put some restaurant ones to shame.

Petite Abeille - One of the best omelets i’ve ever had coupled with delectable mashed potatoes to make a beautiful marriage of a belgium breakfast.

Levain Bakery- A really tasty, fluffy, gooey, fat, juicy cookie. Took me 3-4 days to eat due to the richness. Yum.

I love nyc

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 13:42:10 -0700

I love nyc

Fresh and raw zucchini pasta with freshly made tomato sauce and...

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:10:00 -0700

Fresh and raw zucchini pasta with freshly made tomato sauce and cashew parmasen my friend made. Turned out to be a *really* tasty burst of flavor without all the pasta guilt, in each bite. Yum.

Beautiful and inspiring. A must watch.

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:30:03 -0700

Beautiful and inspiring. A must watch.

Enjoyed such a lovely ethiopian vegetarian plate tonight at...

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:04:26 -0700

Enjoyed such a lovely ethiopian vegetarian plate tonight at Nyala on Fairfax. Delish.